Athletes, coaches and builders in 14 categories were honoured at the 18th annual Burlington Sport Alliance (BSA) awards at the Burlington Convention Centre.
Lloyd Westbrook, a longtime coach, administrator and organizer in softball, accepted this year’s A. J. Dunn Award at ceremonies emceed by Steve Foxcroft June 18.
The BSA introduced the awards 20 years ago.
One of the city’s most prestigious honours, the Dunn Award has been presented annually for four decades to a person “whose leadership and initiative over a number of years has led to the advancement of sport within the Burlington community.”
Westbrook managed the Burlington Kinsmen fast-pitch softball teams in the 1970s, highlighted by four provincial and two national (1974 and 1976) championships at various age levels. He continued contributing to the sport until as late as 2020. Before his managing days, he was a talented rep fastball player.
Other award winners were as follows:
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Cynthia Leng, a rhythmic gymnast from the Burlington Gymnastics Club, has won a bronze medal in each of the past three years at Elite Ontario and was third place all-around at the Eastern Canadian championships last year. This year she has been named to Canada’s Junior High Performance and national teams and invited to the junior world championships.
Female Athlete of the Year
Jenna Morais competes in ice hockey and flag football. She was a member of the provincial AA champion Barracudas hockey team.
Male Athlete of the Year
Mike Mallott has been a mixed martial arts athlete for 15 years and is now a fighter in the UFC.
The Parasport Female Athlete of the Year
Charlotte McElroy, wheelchair basketball player with the Vipers, made the under-23 Ontario junior team, competed in the Canada Games in 2023, made the national team, competing internationally as a starter at the world championships in Thailand.
The Parasport Male Athlete of the Year
Nasif Chowdhury, another Vipers player, was on the Ontario junior team competing in the 2023 wheelchair basketball championships. He was on the Ontario junior team competing in the 2023 Canada Games, and on the Canadian under-22 national team. He is also a member of the Canadian sitting volleyball team.
Dr. Frank Hayden Female Special Olympics Athlete of the Year
Susan Hoy, an athlete since 1996, participates in 10-pin bowling, swimming and bocce and is an ambassador for the Special Olympics in Burlington.
Dr. Frank Hayden Male Special Olympics Athlete of the Year
Garrett Kirkwood, an athlete since 2014, currently participates in basketball and soccer. He is a member of the Burlington Flames basketball team that will compete in the 2024 Special Olympics Provincial Games.
Female Masters Athlete of the Year
Melanie Price, a member of the Burlington Masters Swim Club for 20 years, was a multiple medalist this year at the provincial championships. She swam across Lake Ontario in a time yet to be beaten and competed in multi Ironman Triathlons, eight provincials and five national championships.
Male Masters Athlete of the Year
Jeff Kleven, another BMSC competitive swimmer, has been competing for 26 years, the past year earning medals in eight individual events and relays at the provincial masters meet. He also has competed at the university level and world masters championship in Germany.
Team of the Year
Supreme Starstruck Cheerleading includes 13 young females athletes ages 14-18. It is the first Burlington-based team ever to earn a bid to compete at the IASF World Championships later this year.
Certificate of Distinction
Adam Smith earned this honour for his long-time involvement with the Burlington Organized Minor Baseball Association. During his 46 years of active play Smith’s team won six league championships and two national championships. He served his community as a coach and executive member after his playing days.
The Volunteer Sport Builder of the Year
Harold McGrath, when he was president of the Lions Club, started a young boys hockey league, which eventually progressed into BLOMHA, with McGrath as its first president in 1952. It grew from boys’ house leagues to rep hockey and is now one of the largest sport organizations in Burlington. The award was presented posthumously.
Official of the Year
Jason Maggio started officiating football games in the early 1980s before he had a drivers licence. He advanced from high school to university to Canadian Football League games where in his 22nd year, he was a field judge for his sixth Grey Cup, one of 355 games he has officiated in the CFL.
